Meeting at Samish Woods the Alevin climbed aboard our bus
Merkel and we headed out to find a stretch of river bar along the North Fork of
the Nooksack. We aimed to find a spot where we could spend some time plaster
casting and tracking. As we rumbled along Highway 542 the boys spotted a Trump
sign and the conversation was immediately directed towards what had transpired
on election night. We decided as a group that we were thankful to be able to
spend some time out in the wilderness where we would be able to think, process,
and decompress.
Arriving at the Deming Eagle Preserve the group scouted
multiple ways to get across a waist deep side channel of the Nooksack that
stood between the main gravel bar and us. After almost soaking our feet a few
times the group circled up back at the bus and brought our minds towards plan
b. The mentors reminded the group of our motto turning problems into possibilities. Explaining to the group that
although it was not safe to access this stretch of river we still had plenty
more spots where we could find a place to explore.
The boys were presented with two options. We could drive
north on the 542 and explore up Canyon Creek or we could take Mosquito Lake
Road and explore near the area we had our campout at Racehorse Falls. The group
unanimously decided to head up towards Canyon Creek.
Hopping back on the bus we rallied twenty minutes further
arriving at the Glacier Springs community. We walked to Canyon Creek and found
amazing views of Mt. Baker, Heliotrope Ridge, and the Glacier Creek drainage.
Pushing our way up the valley the banks of the creek started to steepen and it
was clear that navigating the creek bed was not ideal. Scouting the forest
above the creek and a less than ideal log crossing the group decided to bag our
idea.
The group was feeling hungry by this point so we relaxed by
the creek and enjoyed the crystal clear water and fresh mountain air. A few of
the boys started to throw rocks in the river, trying to splash their fellow
Explorers. The mentors were quick to remind the group of what happened at our
campout and that our skill focus for the day was tracking. Tracking is not just
limited to animals and landscapes; through tracking we learn to read ourselves
and contemplate our actions. Tracking promotes accountability and reflection.
Hiking back to the bus the group looked discouraged and not
very excited about finding another location. The mentors however still had
another idea up their sleeve. Heading to a pullout along the 542, just before the
Glacier Guest Suites, we finally found our access point.
Crossing over a deep but slow moving side-channel the group
made their way onto a large river bar with a variety of substrate. The mentors cautioned
the group to tread lightly in the gravel, sand, and mud because they might ruin
the tracks that they were about to cast. Exploring the river bar the group
found both deer and elk tracks. From what the group knew about elk they liked
to munch on tree saplings. Scanning the bar they made the connection of the
abundance of small Alders and Cottonwoods because of the seasonal flooding and
the ideal travel corridor with abundant for large ungulates that it creates.
Circling up the mentors demonstrated the process of mixing
the plaster to the right consistency and making sure that the plaster seeped
into the “mold created by the track”. Once the demo was finished the group
spread out trying to find their own track to cast. Over the last few outings
the mentors have noticed a challenge in the Alevin’s leadership and focus. As
mentors we often set the intention/inspiration for the day and then leave it up
to the group to engage in encouraging self-directed leadership. Whether it has
been coal blowing, tarp shelters, camp chores, plaster casting, etc… the group
tends to squirrel out and ends up talking amongst themselves and not engaging
in the place/project they set out to explore/work on.
Half of the group got to working on casting their tracks
while the others wandered the river bar aimlessly, tossing a Gatorade bottle
back and forth that they had picked up. Once everyone who wanted to had a track cast the mentors
gathered the group together to debrief. After some dialogue the mentors decided
that a sit spot would be the perfect opportunity to immerse in the landscape.
Spreading out over the river bar the Alevin were asked to think about three
questions while on their sit spot: What is one natural history question you
have about something you observed or are curious about? What is one concern or
issue that has been on your mind? What is one thing that you are thankful for?
Once the group was quiet the sounds of the wilderness grew
louder and louder. American Dippers and Killdeer buzzed low over the misty
river feasting on insects and macro invertebrates. Bald Eagles soared overhead
calling out while the swift flow of the Nooksack rumbled in the background. It
was a powerful close to our unexpected day.
Circling up we shared the answers to our three questions
prompted from our sit spots while sharing apples. They boys were truly grateful
to learn a new skill and spend time out on the land. Their thanks and questions
echoed the sites and sounds of our sit spot and their concerns were ones
revolving around the uncertainty with the state of our union, concern for civil
liberties and marginalized peoples, disenfranchisement, the unknown, and
embarrassment. As mentors we offered the group some encouragement; letting them
know that these things have existed in our country for years along with some
amazing accomplishments and advancements in equality, social justice, and the
environment. That it was their job within their local communities to be someone
who advocated for all humans and the land.That our time in Explorers Club was what prepared them for
moments like this: Building Bridges not Walls,
cultivating honesty, genuineness, caring, compassion, listening to one another,
and working as a community towards common goals.
I speak on behalf of the rest of the mentors when I say that
I have the upmost faith in our Explorers to rise to the occasion and cultivate
community right here in our hometown. Our day had been one of persistent
problem solving and I believe that is a great take away for the Alevin as they
become increasingly more self-aware of the challenges we face as a community
and with our Earth.
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